Name: Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark)

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Okay, so I know what you’re thinking–orange…in a cookie? Trust me on this one! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re **Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies**, and they’re about to become your new fave. There’s something just magical about the zing of citrus dancing with melty chocolate. I still remember the first time I had an orange-infused chocolate bar; my world CHANGED! As a self-taught home cook, I’m all about easy meals that bring joy, and these cookies? Total joy bombs. If you like simple food with a little soul, you’re in good company.

Why You’ll Love These Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay, so why *these* cookies? Well, lemme tell ya:

Super easy to make! Seriously, you don’t need to be a pro baker.
That orange-chocolate flavor? It’s mind-blowing. Like, *really* good.
These babies are PERFECT for the holidays! Think Thanksgiving, Christmas…any excuse, really.
Everyone loves ’em! You’ll be the star baker, I promise.
That fresh orange zest just brightens everything up! Gotta have it.

Trust me, these **orange chocolate chip cookies** are a win-win!

Ingredients for the Best Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! This is what you’ll need for seriously amazing **orange chocolate chip cookies**. Don’t skimp, okay?

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened. Gotta be soft, not melted!
3/4 cup granulated sugar. The regular stuff!
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar. Pack it in there good for extra flavor!
2 large eggs. Not small, not medium, large!
1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pure vanilla, please!
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice. Fresh is best, promise!
1 tablespoon orange zest. This is where the magic happens!
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour. Don’t pack this one, just lightly spoon it in.
1 teaspoon baking soda. This gives ’em a lil’ lift!
1/2 teaspoon salt. Just a pinch to balance the sweet!
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark). Your call! I love dark, but whatever makes ya happy.

Got all that? Good! Let’s get baking these **citrus chocolate chip cookies**!

How to Make Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, cookie lovers, ready to get baking? Follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down on warm, gooey **orange chocolate chip cookies** in no time! Don’t worry, I’ll guide you!

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is *important*! Make sure it’s nice and hot before those cookies go in. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Trust me, makes cleanup a breeze!
Grab your biggest bowl, and let’s cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. You want this to be light and fluffy – like a cloud! This usually takes a few minutes with a mixer (or, if you’re feeling strong, a good ol’ wooden spoon!).
Now, beat in the eggs one at a time. Make sure each one is fully mixed in before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, orange juice, and that glorious orange zest! Mmm, can you smell it already?!
Time for the dry stuff! In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking gets rid of any lumps, so you don’t end up with weird pockets in your cookies.
Here’s where you gotta be careful: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until *just* combined. I’m serious! Do NOT overmix! Overmixing makes tough cookies, and nobody wants that. A few streaks of flour are okay!
Fold in those chocolate chips! I like to use a rubber spatula for this, so everything gets evenly distributed. If you want to be extra fancy, save a few to press on top of the cookies before baking. *chef’s kiss*
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie so they have room to spread. I use a cookie scoop, but spoons are fine too!
Bake for 9-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on ’em! You want the edges to be golden brown, and the centers should be set. They’ll still look a little soft, but that’s okay! A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out mostly clean.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This keeps them from breaking apart. I know it’s hard, but resist the urge to eat them straight away!

And that’s it! You just made the *best* **orange chocolate chip cookies** ever. Go ahead, grab one (or three!). You deserve it!

Tips for Perfect Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Want your **orange chocolate chip cookies** to be *amazing* every single time? Of course, you do! Here are my tried-and-true tips for cookie perfection:

Cream that butter and sugar GOOD! Like, really light and fluffy. It makes all the difference.
Measure your flour correctly! Spoon it into the measuring cup, then level it off. Don’t pack it! Packing = dense cookies.
Don’t overmix the dough, okay? I said it before, but it’s worth repeating. Overmixing develops the gluten and makes tough cookies. We want tender **citrus chocolate chip cookies**, not hockey pucks!
Watch those cookies closely in the oven! Every oven is different, so baking times can vary. You want the edges golden brown and the centers set.
Wanna take these **gourmet orange cookies** to the next level? Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. It helps prevent spreading and intensifies the flavor! Just be sure to add a minute or two to the baking time.

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be baking like a pro in no time!

Variations for Your Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic **orange chocolate chip cookie**…now what? Let’s get a little crazy! Here are some fun twists to try:

Chocolate Swap! Try white chocolate chips for a super sweet treat, or go dark chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor. Ooh, or even better, use both!
Nutty Business! Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough. About 1/2 cup should do the trick! Gives ’em a nice little crunch.
Citrus Explosion! Experiment with different citrus zests! Lemon, lime, or even grapefruit zest would add a fun twist. Just use the same amount you would for the orange!
**Orange Cookie Bars** ?! Spread that dough in a baking pan bake for longer time. This will give you an amazing **orange cookie bar** for you and your friends!!

Go wild! It’s your kitchen, so do whatever makes you happy when baking those delicious **holiday orange cookies**!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, you’ve got a batch of these amazing **orange chocolate chip cookies**. Now what? Here’s how to keep ’em fresh (if they last that long!) and make-ahead tips for those cookie emergencies:

Leftovers? Store ’em in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for about 3-4 days. Good luck making them last that long, though!
Wanna freeze the dough? You totally can! Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Freezing baked cookies works too! Just make sure they’re completely cool before freezing in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature.

These **best orange chocolate cookies** will always be amazing anytime!

Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Got questions about these **orange chocolate chip cookies**? I got answers! Here are some common questions I get asked all the time:

Can I use bottled orange juice?

Okay, so fresh orange juice is *always* best, but hey, I get it! Sometimes you just don’t have an orange lying around. If you absolutely *have* to use bottled juice, make sure it’s 100% orange juice and not from concentrate. But promise me you’ll try it with fresh juice next time! You’ll taste the difference!

Can I substitute the orange zest?

The orange zest is really where all that AMAZING **citrus chocolate chip cookies recipe** flavor comes from, so I don’t recommend skipping it! If you’re in a pinch, you could try a teaspoon of orange extract, but honestly, it’s just not the same. For the best **orange zest chocolate chip cookies**, just use fresh zest!

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too thin?

Ah, the dreaded spreading cookie! Few things you can do: Make sure your butter isn’t *too* soft (it should be soft, not melted). Also, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps a TON! You can get more helpful tips at this awesome resource! Finally, make sure your oven is at the right temperature!

Can I make these ahead of time?

Heck yeah! You can totally make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Or, you can freeze the dough for even longer! Just thaw it out before baking. These **best orange chocolate cookies** are amazing anytime!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Alright, so everyone always asks about the healthy stuff…kinda! Here’s a *very* rough estimate of the nutritional info per cookie:

Calories: 150
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 75mg
Fat: 8g
Protein: 2g

Remember, these are just estimates, okay? It all depends on what *you* put in there! Different brands, different chocolate chips…it all changes things! So, don’t take this as gospel, just a general idea. Enjoy those cookies, and don’t stress too much about the numbers!

Enjoy Your Freshly Baked Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

And there you have it – your very own batch of scrumptious **orange chocolate chip cookies**! I hope you love them as much as I do! They’re just perfect for sharing with friends and family, or just keeping all to yourself – I won’t judge!

Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out! Or, if you’re feeling extra generous, give the recipe a rating! You can learn more about me and my love for creating easy recipes, and you can also share your cookie creations on social media! Happy baking, friends!